The Iowa Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund Amendment, also known as Measure 1, will appear on the November 2, 2010 ballot in the state of Iowa as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment.

If the measure is approved by a simple majority of Iowa voters, the next time the Iowa Legislature approves a sales tax increase, the measure would allow 3/8ths of one cent to be used in support of the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. This would establish permanent revenue for natural resources and outdoor recreational programs in the state. It has been reported that this would generate about $150 million a year. T

If the measure is enacted, about $150 million of the estimated tax pot would be spent on outdoor recreation and natural resources, which includes:

Natural resources: 23 percent would be allocated to state parks, state forests, state preserves, wildlife areas and other.

Soil conservation and water protection: 20 percent would be used for soil conservation and watershed protection

Watershed protection: 14 percent would be used to help preserve watersheds

Resource Enhancement and Protection Program: 13 percent of the revenue would be used for natural, cultural, and recreational resources parks, trails, museums, and roadside beautification.

Local conservation partnership: 13 percent would be handed out to local communities for areas pertaining to outdoor and recreation

Trails: 10 percent would go to outdoor trails for recreational use.

Lake restoration: 7 percent would go to public lake restoration around the state.

The radio ad running that supports this measure - is a lie. It says twice "without raising taxes" but the measure itself says it can only go into effect WHEN SALES TAX IS RAISED. So how they can get away with claiming it is "without raising taxes" is beyond me. Someone should take that ad off the air - it is an outright lie.

We are taxed enough the way it is. How do we like socialism now! they get enough revenue from licenses,waterfowl stamps and the like. I can't save for my kid's college now with all the taxes. Enough is Enough!!!!!!

I mostly agree with all that has bee posted here except that the Measure will not raise taxes in the sense that a new tax will me enacted or that sales tax will increase. It only means that if and when our sales tax increases then they could claim 3/8 of 1 cent. That is peanuts when you really think about it. But I do agree that enough tax increases. They raise our property tax rate, the income taxe rate is adjusted every year, gas taxes are on the increase. Where does it all end.

Honey (money) Creek is where it is, because of one reason. Patty Judge. A longtime resident of Monroe County. Although Rathbun Lake is in Appanoose County it is just a hop, skip, and jump from Albia her hometown. It is there because of her and until I am convinced otherwise that's my answer. She is against economical development in areas where it makes sense and Honey Creek does not make sense. She trashed the Earth Park on Red Rock which made more sense than Honey Creek. It is closer to Des Moines and a short distance off of a major arterial highway between Des Moines and Ottumwa.

Boy folks to like to rant about taxes, don't they? I suppose it's healthy to have something to vent about, but it gets really unhealthy when it turns into endless (and yes quite hypocritical) government bashing. What do you want to do away with - state parks and soil conservation? Roads and schools and public safety? Public health and Medicare and Social Security? And please don't come back with the same tired old line that the government wastes our money - given what we've seen in the financial and related sectors these past few years, I'm perfectly comfortable with our Iowa civil servants spending a bit of my money on priorities we as a state decide together.Come on folks, pretty much all of us pay less in taxes now than 30 years ago, and if all the ranters claims were true, and we were continuously being taxed more and more (as the Enough! crowd screams), well then it wouldn't take long before we had no money at all, would it?Final point: I agree the radio ad causing so much consternation is misleading, but it's not incorrect. It won't raise taxes, it will "take effect" by becoming the law of the land when voters pass it. It will only actually fund important conservation and recreation opportunities in Iowa, however, if/when the sales tax is increased, someday.For the sake of my kids and a healthy and vibrant Home Place Iowa, I look forward to that day, and will gladly part with 3/8ths of a percent of every dollar I spend to put towards cleaner water, more productive soils, diverse landscapes, and outdoor recreational activities for kids that spend more hours than any kids in history on couches and in front of screens.Happy ranting!

Did I dream this or was it a few years ago that the State of Iowa raided the pockets of the parks and recreation of the so called excess money in their accounts and incorporated the money into the State funds. That's simular to the Federal Government raiding the social security savings, spending it all to try and avoid a recession. Something our wonderful elected officials do for us?

**********Even though this "ISSUE" has already been considered. Citizens of "IOWA" didn't fall off the apple cart yesterday, although may times from past events it appears, distorted teachings have permiated "IOWA SCHOOL SYSTEMS". Just look at "WHOM" Iowa helped carrie to the White House, then look long at the elected leaders tied to "ITS" strings, then consider, IS IT "time to clean house"?"You cann't kill stupid !" "BUT" "You can "VOTE" IT OUT !"

lol :)))) so so so nice)))IOWA SCHOOL SYSTEMS". Just look at "WHOM" Iowa helped carrie to the White House, then look long at the elected leaders tied to))) ITS strings, then consider, IS IT "time to clean house. Million player winning strong)))

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